What type of diet would a patient with diverticulitis follow?

A patient with diverticulitis would benefit from a high-fiber diet because it helps to soften the stool and promotes regular bowel movements. When the stools are softer, it can prevent straining during bowel movements, which is important since diverticulitis is associated with small pouches (diverticula) in the colon that can become inflamed or infected.

Increasing dietary fiber can help reduce the frequency and severity of diverticulitis flare-ups over time by improving overall colon health. Foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, are generally recommended as they help maintain digestive health and prevent constipation, which can exacerbate diverticular disease.

While a soft diet might be recommended during acute flare-ups to make eating easier, a high-fiber diet is encouraged in the long term for recovery and maintenance of gut health. The low fiber diet is often advised for acute flare-ups rather than chronic management. The glycemic index diet focuses on carbohydrate management and blood sugar levels, which isn’t the primary concern with diverticulitis management.